Aurora defers capital project

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 6, 2014
Brea Bartholet

Aurora’s downtown Promenade streetscape plan will be passed into the hands of the newly inaugurated council next year.

During a July 29 council meeting, the decision was made to endorse the 10-year project to beautify the community’s core in principle – meaning all elements listed for improvement along the streetscape are not approved at this time, but will be discussed in the 2015 budget process.

Council made the decision on town staff’s recommendation, as staff members said the investments would be best discussed in the context of the budget.

The plan first went before council at a public planning meeting Jan. 23, when council asked for a multi-year capital project priority list.

Last month, staff produced a report identifying the following projects as priorities:

• Update of all concrete sidewalks: $1.94 million

• Year-round hanging baskets: $40,000

• Installation of long, narrow planters: $380,000

• Planting of street trees: $80,000

• Installation of heritage-style furniture along streetscape: $80,000

• Develop historical promotional banners: $150,000

• Relocate traffic signs: $40,000

• Landscape mid-block connections: $40,000

If most of the main priorities are taken care of within the next three years, it could cost about $2.75 million.

Council members expressed concern with the $1.94 million to replace existing sidewalks in the Promenade area.

“I’m still concerned. I don’t endorse the aspect of the project involving the sidewalks,” said Councillor Michael Thompson.

“They aren’t being increased or widened; just used for aesthetics. Show me the benefit of this project. We have a Community Improvement Plan that says by investing in those businesses, we will see return on investment. I think we have more benefit with the CIP rather than replacing some sidewalk slabs.”

Other councillors shared that opinion, arguing replacement of the sidewalks at such a high cost may not be worth taxpayers’ money.

Councillor Sandra Humfryes shot back at the negative comments, reminding colleagues the slab replacements are a necessary element in tying all other projects together.

“Sidewalks may not be widened, but the accessibility will be changed, with trees and benches added, as well. It’s a condensed area that we want to make significant improvements on. I believe it will attract people to the downtown core and help businesses attract people,” she said.